When most folks hear the phrase "National Signing Day," their thoughts automatically turn to football.
It's the day that high school seniors can sign with the college of their choice and comes every year on the first Wednesday in February.
It would have happened at 8 a.m. Wednesday at Northwestern if Rock Hill schools hadn't been closed because of snow. So it was pushed to Thursday morning, and five players from the Trojans' Class AAAA Division II state runner-up team signed.
But Signing Day is also for players in other sports, and four players from Northwestern's Class AAAA state championship soccer team last spring put their names on letters of intent.
The biggest in reputation was forward Enzo Martinez, arguably the best player in state history. Last season as a junior, Martinez scored 50 goals and had 22 assists while becoming the state's career goals leader with 143.
With one season left, he could possibly push his career goals total to a number that might never be reached again.
He was selected The Herald's All-Area Boys Soccer Player of the Year for the second straight time, was named the South Carolina Gatorade Boys Soccer Player of the Year for the second consecutive time, the SCHSSCA Player of the Year for the second straight season and was Region 3-AAAA's Player of the Year.
Martinez said his decision was tough, but in the end it came down to the University of North Carolina, a team that was runner-up to Maryland in last year's national championship game.
"This is like a dream come true," said Martinez, the son of Carlos Martinez and Mariela Beltran. "America is a great country. You can play soccer growing up and get the opportunity to play it in college while you get your education.
"And I get to do it for one of the top teams in America. North Carolina lost both of its forwards and I was told if I signed, there was a good chance of starting. But I'll have to work hard every day. In college, all players are extremely good."
Martinez's story is one of struggles and successes. He was born in Montevideo, Uruguay, where he and his family of five lived in a 10-by-10 room before coming to the Untied States eight years ago.
Unable to speak a word of English, Martinez met the Benson family and learned it from the Benson brothers he played select soccer with. He also met Northwestern coach Dom Wren while playing youth soccer, and said that's who taught him the importance of school work.
Wren, who wasn't at Northwestern then, told Martinez that he had a bright future and to get to the college level he needed to work as hard in class as he did on the field. Martinez is a 4.0 student and made 1250 on his SAT -- 990 coming on the math portion.
"Enzo is one of those one-in-a-lifetime players," Wren said. "He has the ability to win games at any level, college or pro. But what sets him apart from other players is he has the X-factor, a combination of outstanding ability and great attitude.
"He's probably one of the most blue-collar players I've ever coached. And he makes the players around him better. If he has a good game, he gives credit to his teammates. The college coaches know that. He could have gone anywhere he picked, and chose North Carolina."
In doing so he broke a lot of hearts. The other schools on his final list were Texas, SMU, Liberty and Charlotte.
Martinez is serious about getting his education in case his career plans fall through. He wants to play professional soccer, either in the MLS here in the United States or for an international team.
"I can't say if I can do either until I play in college, said Martinez, who is 5-foot-8, 150 pounds. "All of that is out of my head, just like signing my scholarship.
"I still have to play another season, and we want to win another state championship. I get too much credit for what we have done. My teammates make me a better players, and I can't imagine playing for another team."
On the football side, the signing list included three of the Trojans' top players. Jarrett Neely, one of this state's best all-purpose players is headed to Kansas to play for Hutchinson Community College. Neely played in the Shrine Bowl and was a finalist for the South Carolina Mr. Football award.
